Pomona College, located in Claremont, California, is a private liberal arts college founded in 1887 by Congregationalists seeking to establish a New England-style college in Southern California. It distinguishes itself as the founding member of the Claremont Colleges consortium, a unique system of adjacent, affiliated institutions that allows students access to a broader range of resources and academic opportunities while maintaining a small college environment.
1900: First Black Students Enrolled
In 1900, Pomona College enrolled its first black students, following the enrollment of its first Asian students in 1897.
1905: Land Acquisition
In 1905, during President George A. Gates' tenure, Pomona College acquired a 64-acre parcel of land to its east, known as the Wash.
1908: Construction of Smiley Hall
Smiley Hall dormitory was built in 1908, adjacent to the Center for Athletics, Recreation and Wellness.
1908: Development Guided by Myron Hunt's Master Plans
Starting in 1908, the development of Pomona College's campus was guided by master plans from architect Myron Hunt, who envisioned a central quadrangle flanked by buildings connected via visual axes.
1908: Construction of Carnegie Building
The Carnegie Building, a neoclassical structure, was built in 1908 as a Carnegie library at Pomona College.
1910: Original Performance of Alma Mater
In 1910, Pomona College's alma mater was originally performed as the ensemble finale to a student-produced blackface minstrel show on campus.
1911: Elimination of Preparatory Department
In 1911, Pomona College eliminated its preparatory department, which had taught pre-college level courses, as high schools became more common in the region.
1913: First Appearance of the Name "Sagehen"
In 1913, the name "Sagehen" first appeared in reference to Pomona's intercollegiate sports teams.
1914: Pomona Founding Member of SCIAC
In 1914, Pomona was one of the three founding members of the SCIAC (Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).
1914: Phi Beta Kappa Chapter Established
In 1914, the Phi Beta Kappa honor society established a chapter at Pomona College.
1914: Construction of the College Gates
In 1914, the college gates were built at the intersection of Sixth Street and College Avenue, marking the historical northern edge of the campus.
1917: "Sagehen" Becomes the Sole Moniker
In 1917, "Sagehen" became the sole moniker for Pomona's intercollegiate sports teams.
1921: End of Mandated Chapel Attendance
In 1921, Pomona College ended the mandate for daily attendance at chapel, and student culture emphasized athletics and academic class rivalries.
1923: Landscape Architect Ralph Cornell Expands on Master Plans
In 1923, landscape architect Ralph Cornell expanded on Myron Hunt's plans, envisioning a "college in a garden" defined by native Southern California vegetation but incorporating global influences.
October 14, 1925: Founding of the Claremont Colleges Consortium
On October 14, 1925, Pomona College, celebrating its 38th anniversary, officially founded the Claremont Colleges consortium.
1925: Founding member of the Claremont Colleges consortium
In 1925, Pomona College became the founding member of the Claremont Colleges consortium of adjacent, affiliated institutions.
1927: Fountaining tradition
The "fountaining" tradition, where students are thrown into a campus fountain on their birthday, dates back to 1927 for women at Pomona College.
1929: Construction of Clark Dormitories Begins
In 1929, construction began on the Clark dormitories on Pomona's North Campus, reflecting President Charles Edmunds' prioritization of residential life.
1930: Prometheus mural at Frary Dining Hall
In 1930, the Prometheus mural by José Clemente Orozco was installed in Frary Dining Hall. It was the first Mexican fresco in the U.S.
1930: Completion of North Campus initial phase
In 1930, the initial phase of North Campus, designed by architect Sumner Spaulding, was completed. The campus primarily includes residential buildings for upperclassmen and academic buildings for natural sciences.
1941: E. Wilson Lyon becomes president
In 1941, E. Wilson Lyon became Pomona College's longest-serving president, guiding the college through a transformational and turbulent period.
1942: Introduction of the Pomona Plan
In 1942, the Pomona Plan, a deferred giving fundraising scheme pioneered by Allen Hawley, was introduced at Pomona College, offering participants a lifetime annuity in exchange for donating to the college upon their death.
1946: Pomona Joins with Claremont Men's College in Athletics
In 1946, Pomona joined with Claremont Men's College (later renamed Claremont McKenna College) to compete together as Pomona-Claremont in athletics.
1947: Completion of Mudd-Blaisdell Hall
In 1947, Mudd-Blaisdell Hall, the largest residential building on Pomona College's campus, was completed. The full title of the building, Florence Carrier Blaisdell and Della Mullock Mudd Hall, contains 47 characters, and one of its staircases has 47 balusters.
1950: Expansion of fountaining tradition
In 1950, the "fountaining" tradition was expanded to include men at Pomona College.
1952: Exchange Program with Fisk University Established
In 1952, Pomona College established an exchange program with Fisk University, a historically black university in Tennessee.
1956: Separation of Pomona and Claremont Men's College Teams
In 1956, the joint Pomona-Claremont athletic teams separated, and Pomona's athletics program operated independently.
1957: Frary Dining Hall Opens to Women
In 1957, Frary Dining Hall, then part of the men's campus, opened to women, marking the beginning of the end of gender segregation in Pomona's residential life.
1960: Genesis mural at Frary Dining Hall
In 1960, the Genesis mural by Rico Lebrun was installed in Frary Dining Hall, enhancing the hall's artistic significance.
1964: The Number 47 Tradition Begins
In the summer of 1964, Pomona College students Laurie Mets and Bruce Elgin began a research project to investigate the frequency of the number 47 in nature. Professor Donald Bentley then created a false mathematical proof that the number 47 was equal to all other integers. This led to the number becoming a widespread meme within the college, sparking a tradition.
1968: Co-educational housing introduced
In 1968, co-educational housing was introduced, furthering the end of gender segregation of Pomona's residential life.
1969: David Alexander Becomes President
In 1969, David Alexander began his tenure as president of Pomona College, a position he would hold until 1991.
1969: End of E. Wilson Lyon's Presidency
In 1969, E. Wilson Lyon's transformational and turbulent period as president of Pomona College came to an end.
1969: Establishment of Black and Latino Studies Programs
In 1969, activists successfully pushed the Claremont Colleges consortium to establish black and Latino studies programs.
1970: Pomona Athletics Joins with Pitzer College
In 1970, Pomona's athletics program joined with Pitzer College to form the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens.
1970: Classes Canceled Due to Vietnam War Protests
In spring 1970, classes were canceled at the end of the semester at Pomona College due to protests against the Vietnam War.
1984: Pomona College Women's Union Founded
In 1984, several identity-based groups, such as the Pomona College Women's Union, were established.
1991: End of David Alexander's Presidency
In 1991, David Alexander's presidency at Pomona College concluded, after beginning in 1969.
1991: Conversion of Fraternity Basements
In 1991, Pomona College converted the dormitory basements used by fraternities into lounges, reducing the profile of Greek life on campus.
1995: Inauguration of the Orientation Adventure Program
In 1995, Pomona College introduced the "Orientation Adventure" or "OA" program as part of its 10-day orientation for incoming students. This program, involving four-day off-campus trips, is one of the oldest outdoor orientation programs in the U.S.
2003: Commitment to LEED Certifications
In 2003, under President David W. Oxtoby, Pomona College committed to obtaining LEED certifications for new buildings, placing more emphasis on reducing its environmental impact.
2004: Partnership with Posse Foundation
In 2004, Pomona College entered partnerships with several college access groups, including the Posse Foundation.
2005: Partnership with QuestBridge
In 2005, Pomona College partnered with QuestBridge, further expanding its college access initiatives.
2007: Installation of Dividing the Light
In 2007, "Dividing the Light", a skyspace by alumnus James Turrell, was installed west of North College Way, adding to the aesthetic and artistic value of the academic buildings area.
2008: Commitment to Meeting Full Financial Need
In 2008, Pomona College committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of students through grants rather than loans.
2008: Alma Mater Controversy
In 2008, it was discovered that Pomona's alma mater may have been written for a blackface minstrel show in 1910, leading the college to stop singing it at convocation and commencement.
2009: Top graduate destinations
Between 2009 and 2018, the top destinations for Pomona College graduates were the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of California, Berkeley; Harvard University; the University of Southern California; and Stanford University.
2009: Establishment of the Draper Center for Community Partnerships
In 2009, the Draper Center for Community Partnerships was established to coordinate Pomona College's community engagement programs, including youth mentoring, English tutoring for staff, spring break volunteering, and the Pomona Academy for Youth Success (PAYS).
2011: Dining Hall Workers Unionization Drive
In 2011, Pomona College requested proof of legal residency from employees amid a unionization drive by dining hall workers, leading to firings and national media attention.
2012: Discontinuation of Metate yearbook
Pomona College's yearbook, Metate, founded in 1894, was discontinued in 2012.
2013: Median family income
As of 2013, the median family income of Pomona College students was $166,500.
2013: Doctorates awarded
From 2013 to 2022, Pomona College ranked 11th among all U.S. colleges and universities for doctorates awarded to alumni per capita.
2013: Dining Hall Staff Unionization
In 2013, the dining hall staff at Pomona College voted to unionize.
2014: Studio Art Hall Completion
In 2014, the Studio Art Hall at Pomona College garnered national recognition for its steel-frame design upon completion.
2015: Career fairs
During the 2015–2016 academic year, 175 employers hosted on-site informational events at the Claremont Colleges and 265 unique organizations were represented in 9 career fairs.
2015: Establishment of the Sontag Center for Collaborative Creativity
In 2015, the Sontag Center for Collaborative Creativity, known as "the Hive", was established to support creative learning at Pomona College.
2016: Career fairs
During the 2015–2016 academic year, 175 employers hosted on-site informational events at the Claremont Colleges and 265 unique organizations were represented in 9 career fairs.
2016: Helen Goodwin Renwick House Listed on National Register
In 2016, the Helen Goodwin Renwick House, a historic Victorian house, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
2017: Alumni graduate studies
According to a 2017 alumni survey, 81% of Pomona graduates attend graduate or professional school within 10 years.
2017: G. Gabrielle Starr Becomes President
In 2017, G. Gabrielle Starr became Pomona College's tenth president, marking the first time a woman and an African American has held the office.
2017: College Access Index Ranking
Pomona College was ranked second among all private institutions and eighth among all institutions in The New York Times' 2017 College Access Index.
2018: Top graduate destinations
Between 2009 and 2018, the top destinations for Pomona College graduates were the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of California, Berkeley; Harvard University; the University of Southern California; and Stanford University.
2018: Graduation rate of entering class
For the 2018 entering class, 61% of Pomona College students graduated within four years and 93% graduated within six years.
2018: Gold Rating in Sustainable Campus Index
In 2018, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education gave Pomona College a gold rating in its Sustainable Campus Index.
2018: Establishment of the Pomona College Humanities Studio
In 2018, the Pomona College Humanities Studio was established to support research in the humanities.
March 2020: Switch to Online Instruction
From March 2020 through the spring 2021 semester, Pomona College switched to online instruction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Return to in-person instruction
In 2021, Pomona College resumed in-person instruction, after online classes due to COVID-19 in 2020.
2021: WASC reaffirmation of accreditation
In 2021, the WASC Senior College and University Commission reaffirmed Pomona College's accreditation, praising its diversity initiatives.
2022: Doctorates awarded
From 2013 to 2022, Pomona College ranked 11th among all U.S. colleges and universities for doctorates awarded to alumni per capita.
2023: The Claremont Colleges Library holdings
As of 2023, The Claremont Colleges Library holds more than 3.4 million items, including 1 million physical items and 2.3 million digital items.
2023: Campus Facilities in 2023
As of 2023, the Pomona College campus consists of 88 facilities, including 70 addressed buildings.
2023: Pomona College employee count
As of the fall 2023 semester, Pomona College has a total of 902 employees.
2023: Retention rate for entering class
For the 2023 entering class, 98% of Pomona College students returned for their second year.
2023: Majors of 2023 graduating class
For the 2023 graduation cohort, 21% of Pomona College students majored in the arts and humanities, 39% in the natural sciences, 24% in the social sciences, and 16% in interdisciplinary fields.
2023: Pomona's fiscal year budget allocation
In the 2023 fiscal year, Pomona College allocated 43% of its budget to instruction, 2% to research, 1% to public service, 13% to academic support, 17% to student services, and 24% to institutional support.
2023: Salary survey
Pomona College alumni earn a median early career salary of $73,700 and a median mid-career salary of $146,400, according to 2023 survey data from PayScale.
April 2024: Protest and Arrests
In April 2024, nineteen demonstrators were arrested after occupying President Starr's office to urge the college to divest from Israel, leading to condemnations, protests, and the relocation of commencement.
June 2024: Pomona's endowment
As of June 2024, Pomona College has an endowment of $3.01 billion, one of the highest per-student endowments in the U.S.
2024: Test scores of entering class
Among students in the 2024 entering class who submitted test scores, the middle 50% scored 740–770 on the SAT evidence-based reading and writing section, 750–790 on the SAT math section, and 33–35 on the ACT.
2024: Study abroad programs available
As of 2024, Pomona College offers 70 pre-approved study abroad programs in 38+ countries.
2024: Pomona's tuition fee
In 2024, Pomona College charged a tuition fee of $65,000, with an estimated on-campus cost of attendance of $89,414.
2024: Pomona-Pitzer Athletics Rankings in 2024-2025 Division III NACDA Directors' Cup
In 2024-2025, the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens ranked 15th out of 323 Division III schools and 2nd among SCIAC schools in the Division III NACDA Directors' Cup. This cup ranks athletic programs and awards points based on their performance in NCAA championships.
2024: Fall 2024 semester courses
In the fall 2024 semester, 91% of traditional courses had under 30 students, and only four courses had 50 or more students at Pomona College.
2024: Admission statistics
Pomona College admitted 7.1% of applicants for the 2024 entering class, 50.2% of whom chose to enroll.
June 2025: Endowment size
As of June 2025, Pomona College has a $3.25 billion endowment, making it one of the ten wealthiest schools in the U.S. on a per-student basis.
2025: Ranking of schools that send the most students to graduate schools
A 2025 analysis of the schools that send the most students per capita to the highest-ranked U.S. medical, business, and law schools placed Pomona 17th for medical schools, 22nd for business schools, and 14th for law schools.
2025: Student body characteristics
As of the fall 2025 semester, Pomona College's student body consisted of 1,690 degree-seeking undergraduate students.
2025: Student Enrollment
As of the fall 2025 semester, Pomona College, a four-year undergraduate institution, enrolled approximately 1,700 students.
2025: Financial aid distribution for 2024-2025
In 2024-2025, 55% of Pomona College students received a financial aid package, with an average award of $67,027.
2025: Pomona-Pitzer Athletics Rankings in 2024-2025 Division III NACDA Directors' Cup
In 2024-2025, the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens ranked 15th out of 323 Division III schools and 2nd among SCIAC schools in the Division III NACDA Directors' Cup. This cup ranks athletic programs and awards points based on their performance in NCAA championships.
2025: Operating budget for 2024-2025 academic year
The operating budget for Pomona College for the 2024-2025 academic year was $271 million.
2026: Faculty members
As of the spring 2026 semester, Pomona College employs faculty members.
2030: Target for Carbon Neutrality
Pomona College has committed to achieving carbon neutrality without purchased carbon credits by 2030.
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